Ethnography Proposal

• The New Prague Dance Company building was constructed just a few years ago as a place for individual gymnasts and our HS girls gymnastics team to practice and hold meets. It also has a seperate area where the New Prague Dance Company holds their dance classes for many ages. The part i'm interested in is the large gym to the left where yo ucan find trampolines, uneven bars, balance beams, and foam pits. Where girls (and guys) spend hours upon hours of relentless tiring exercise. Where wolf jumps, fulls, and backflips are practiced until perfected. I have yet to decide if I should observe the entire gymnastics club itself, or simply our NP High School girls team.
• As for prec-conceived notions: my thoughts have always been that gymnasts are incredibly hard-working, strong, and dedicated. They have to devote much of their time and effort to get down the difficult routines, jumps, and "stunts" they perform at meets. They work as individuals on each level of the gym- balance beam, vault, etc. But they rely on their coach's help and each others' scores to advance as a team. I chose to observe this group of talented young people for a few reasons - all of which are simple. One is that a few close friends of mine are part of the gymnastics team and I've heard countless stories and find the things they discuss quite interesting. Also, I very much enjoy watching the gymnastics portion of the Olympics and would love to see how they get there.
• Obstacles: times in general, I can go in at many different times through because peiople are often in there. Although, if I decide to do the team then I have to wait until they start. I have my own sport starting in around a month. I can go in on days off of practice and probably weekends.
• Resources/Interviews: classmates (i.e. Shelbie Johnson, Tracy Westenberg, Ryan Tschimperle) Coaches, owner of the building, etc.
• Preliminary Thesis: HELP!